The National Native American Hall of Fame is adding a new member to its board of directors.
E. Sequoyah Simermeyer has been appointed by the organization to join its board after serving as a chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. During his time with the commission, Simermeyer helped the regulatory body navigate the $40 billion Indian gaming industry through the overturning of PASPA and the COVID-19 global pandemic. He was also integral in helping the commission thwart cybersecurity threats.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to support a national organization with an important purpose — honoring Native American achievement in our modern society,” said Simermeyer. “As a Native person and a parent, it is important that we acknowledge the success of Native people and allow those successes to be inspirational stories that instill pride and confidence in future generations who will lift the quality of life for Native people across the nation.”
Simermeyer is joining the board as a current employee at FanDuel, where he holds the role of VP of the company’s strategic partnerships sector. In his position, Simermeyer is responsible for co-leading FanDuel’s efforts to secure commercial partnerships across the U.S. He is also tasked with promoting economic development that benefits tribes.
FanDuel enlisted Simermeyer not only for his experience as a chairman of the NIGC but an advisor to U.S. Senate members on federal Indian laws and policies.
Replacement for Simermeyer
In May, President Joe Biden appointed NIGC Associate Commissioner Sharon M. Avery as Acting Chair of the agency following the resignation of Simermeyer to take his job at FanDuel. Avery, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, assumed the role on May 15 and will serve as the NIGC’s Acting Chair until a permanent chair is appointed.
